Intel Pro Wireless 3945 woes

[Beaz]

Hi all,

Recently completed an install of Fedora Core 7 and I'm having wireless problems.

My only experience of Linux so far is about a months worth of Ubuntu before the sound packed up and I sadly went back to windows. I mention this to excuse myself if I've overlooked something REALLY obvious.

Here's the deal:

I've installed FC7 from the Live CD and my IPW3945abg doesn't seem to be recognized.
After a fair amount of forum surfing I've tried a number of things including all that is mentioned here:

http://www.fedoraguide.info/index.php/Main_Page#Intel_IPW3945

The Symptoms:
If I go into: System ---> Administration ---> Network:-
and click the Devices Tab, there is only my wired ethernet card on the screen.
I've tried New ---> Wireless Connection but my card type is not on the list.

Have I missed something obvious?
Any help would be gratefully received!

[bbfuller]

Hello Beaz

Welcome to the forum.

Like you, I have the IPW3945abg, I followed the howto you list and mine works OK, so we need to determine why your setup is different to mine.

Can you tell me if you installed from the DVD version of Fedora, or the live CD version.

Can you also post back the results of:

/sbin/iwconfig

and we'll think again.

In the meantime, the author of the howto might be along.

[Beaz]

Hi there,

Many thanks for the prompt reply, I've been reading your handiwork for most of the day!

I can confirm it is indeed the live CD installation I am using and I clean installed it and ran the update program before any tinkering.

The dump from /sbin/iwconfig reads:

lo no wireless extensions.

wmaster0 no wireless extensions.

wlan0 IEEE 802.11g ESSID:""
Mode:Managed Frequency:2.412 GHz Access Point: Not-Associated
Retry min limit:7 RTS thr:off Fragment thr=2346 B
Link Quality:0 Signal level:0 Noise level:0
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:0 Missed beacon:0

eth0 no wireless extensions.


I'm currently connected through the ethernet port to a router if that's any help...
Thanks

[bbfuller]

Well, I think the first thing to try is rectify a glitch in the installation of the live CD.

In the Administration - Server Settings - Services section, look for the item "network", it will probably not be running. It's odd that it runs by default from the DVD installation and on the live desktop, but not when you install from the latter. That's network someway down the list not the "NetworkManager" items at the top.

Put a tick against it, use the button to "Start" it and then save the configuration.

You might need to restart the machine.

See what difference that makes.

[Beaz]

I've turned Network on an completely re booted. Still can't see/add the adaptor in System, Applications, Network!

/sbin/iwconfig reads:


lo no wireless extensions.

eth0 no wireless extensions.

wmaster0 no wireless extensions.

wlan0 IEEE 802.11g ESSID:""
Mode:Managed Frequency:2.412 GHz Access Point: Not-Associated
Retry min limit:7 RTS thr:off Fragment thr=2346 B
Link Quality:0 Signal level:0 Noise level:0
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:0 Missed beacon:0

I think that's the same as before isn't it?

I'm gonna have a little fiddle about, do you need anything in the way of info from me?
Ta

[bbfuller]

It's an oddity that your iwconfig refers to a wlan0 and not eth1 as mine does, but doing some more investigating on my machine, the 3945 doesn't appear in the Network Controller either.

I think the first thing to do on your machine is to confirm that the wlan0 device is alive and present.

Try the command:

/sbin/iwlist wlan0 scan

and see if you get a report of any wireless networks, yours included.

If you do then we either manually configure your wireless card or use something called Network Manager.

[Beaz]

Good call sir,

The output of /sbin/iwlist wlan0 scan was:

wlan0 Scan completed :
Cell 01 - Address: 00:18:F6:0A:97:05
ESSID:"BTHomeHub-97BC"
Mode:Master
Channel:11
Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
Quality=98/100 Signal level=-25 dBm Noise level=-127 dBm
Encryption key:on
Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s
12 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
Extra:tsf=000000a322009771
Cell 02 - Address: 00:0F:B5:C0:E1:B8
ESSID:"home"
Mode:Master
Channel:11
Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
Quality=45/100 Signal level=-82 dBm Noise level=-127 dBm
Encryption key:on
Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
12 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
Extra:tsf=000000a32b65642a
Cell 03 - Address: 00:18:4D:FD:61:92
ESSID:"SKY44389"
Mode:Master
Channel:1
Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1)
Quality=43/100 Signal level=-83 dBm Noise level=-127 dBm
Encryption key:on
IE: WPA Version 1
Group Cipher : TKIP
Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP
Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s
48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
Extra:tsf=0000001cc6e88581

Mine's the BTHomeHub at the top.

[bbfuller]

Ah, now go to the System Menu - KNetworkManager - and nothing will appear to happen!

But you will have an icon in the system tray for controlling network devices. Bit like the Windows zeroconf but better as it will automatically switch to whichever is the better connection that it knows about. If you are using wireless but plug in a cable it will automatically shift to using the wired network.

Right click on it to get a list of connectable networks, left click on yours to get a box for connection details.

I can't remember from the livecd but you need something called wpa_supplicant installed if you are using that encryption method and I can't swear it's installed by default.

Unfortunately KNetworkManager only stays in the system tray for that time of booting. If you want it to start automatically then you need to create an entry in your .kde/Autostart folder. You can copy an existing menu entry onto the desktop and then into Autostart easily.

My goodness, you've got a busy little wireless neighbourhood haven't you. You or the access point called "home" might well consider changing your broadcast channel.

[Beaz]

Will this work if I'm running Gnome? If not, is there a Gnome equivelent?

Yeah, it's a packed out neighborhood round here...

[brunson]

Beaz, NetworkManager is what you want. You should have a network icon in your upper right panel. If not, try "service NetworkManager start".

It seems that you already loaded the ipw firmware, was that part of the default installation or did you do it afterwards? I installed from the DVD, not the Live CD, and had to add it manually.

Anyway, once NetworkManager is running you should see all the networks in the dropdown menu.

[Beaz]

I'm having a bash about with network manager now, I'm on two computers but only one connection so I'm not getting along very quickly... My Kingdom for an extra Ethernet cable...

[SolitaryCZ]

Hello, I have Lenovo 3000 N100 laptop, and I just installed Fedora 7, but I cant get my intel wireless working, I did everything for recognizing it and I can see it in System -> Administration -> Network under eth1(eth0 is LAN), but I cant activate it (like I cant activate eth0 when there is no pluged UTP cable) it said to me for eth1(wifi) "there is no cable"... I guess that switch for turning wifi on is not working, can u help me? Dunno how to make it works... LED for Wifi in turned on mode is just twinkling

[Beaz]

No joy so far folks, I think I'll try again in the morning.

Thanks for all your help so far, I'm on the way at least!
Ta
Beaz

[bbfuller]

Hello SolitaryCZ

Try the command:

/sbin/iwlist wlan0 scan

mentioned above and post back on what you see.

[bbfuller]

Hello Beaz

Sorry, didn't realise you were using Gnome. I usually use KDE.

I'm just setting up Gnome now and I'll compare notes with you tomorrow unless you get it sorted before then.

[SolitaryCZ]

Well :/

/sbin/iwlist wlan0 scan
wlan0 Interface doesn't support scanning.

So I guess its not there, what does it means for me, that I have not installed it properly? I can see Intel Wireless in Network utility, in Hardware section it says its OK, just inactive

[bbfuller]

Hello SolitaryCZ

Can you do:

/sbin/lspci

and tell me what you see for the wireless card.

It's also very unlikely that your card would work without some setting up, can you tell me what you have done so far.

Also, which desktop environment you are using and if you installed from a livecd or from the DVD.

[SolitaryCZ]

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/PM/GMS, 943/940GML and 945GT Express Memory Controller Hub (rev 03)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 02)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 02)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 2 (rev 02)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 02)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 02)
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 02)
00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #4 (rev 02)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 02)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev e2)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 02)
00:1f.2 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801GBM/GHM (ICH7 Family) SATA IDE Controller (rev 02)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) SMBus Controller (rev 02)
03:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection (rev 02)
05:01.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10)
05:04.0 CardBus bridge: ENE Technology Inc CB1410 Cardbus Controller (rev 01)
05:06.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Ricoh Co Ltd R5C832 IEEE 1394 Controller
05:06.1 Generic system peripheral [0805]: Ricoh Co Ltd R5C822 SD/SDIO/MMC/MS/MSPro Host Adapter (rev 19)
05:06.2 System peripheral: Ricoh Co Ltd Unknown device 0843 (rev 01)
05:06.3 System peripheral: Ricoh Co Ltd R5C592 Memory Stick Bus Host Adapter (rev 0a)
05:06.4 System peripheral: Ricoh Co Ltd xD-Picture Card Controller (rev 05)

Maybe I am blind, or there is not wireless....
I installed Fedora 7 from DVD and using Gnome
Well, what I already did... as I said, I installed iwp3945... and maybe some other things which I really dont remember, cuz I did so many things today that I have head big like thiiiiiiiis :D

In System -> Administration -> Network I set for eth1(wlan) DHCP and connected it to own MAC adress... and thats all folks?

[SolitaryCZ]

I am blind idiot... there it is
03:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection (rev 02)

[glennzo]

I'm reading along here and wondering if anyone of the above users with IPW3945 problems has actually opened services and started NetworkManager and NetworkManagerDispatch ?? I know that in some cases this is ALL I needed to do to get wireless working on a fresh install.

[bbfuller]

Should have asked one more question!

How did you install the iwp3945 software?

[glennzo]

bbfuller, are you asking me or someone else? I didn't install anything for my wireless.

[SolitaryCZ]

bbfuller: Well, I used that what u mentioned in another thread... http://www.fedoraforum.org/forum/showthread.php?t=163603&highlight=n100

glennzo: Thats nice, but I exactly dunno what do u mean by NetworkManager :) I have not english version of ditribution, so.... but if its same like System - Administration - Network, believe me... I made lot of things with it before I tried install something new. After first boot, my LED signalization for Wifi even didnt light up, now its twinkling :p :cool:

[bbfuller]

Hello glennzo

No, I was asking SolitaryCZ what he had installed for his 3945, just gathering information as the iwl software never worked for me.

[hampeh]

I'm reading along here and wondering if anyone of the above users with IPW3945 problems has actually opened services and started NetworkManager and NetworkManagerDispatch ?? I know that in some cases this is ALL I needed to do to get wireless working on a fresh install.

I have been having problem with wireless on fc6 with ipw3945abg. Everytime i tried using network manager it will display that there is "Determining IP information for eth1... failed; no link present. Check cable?" I am not sure why but i have tried all sort of solutions there is in the forum.

So my last solutions is using wifi-radar. It get me connected but after recent upgrade there is a warning. It says "Warning: Driver for device eth1 has been compiled with version 22 of Wireless Extension, while this program supports up to version 20. Some things may be broken..."

I have been trying to search for a fix but cant find the solutions yet.

If anyone have ideas why my network manager is not working???

thank you.

[SolitaryCZ]

Hampeh: I have exactly same problem like you... "Determining IP information for eth1... failed; no link present. Check cable?"

[bbfuller]

Before precompiled ipw3945 drivers became available for fedora 7 it was necessary to compile them by hand for those of us who couldn't make the inbuilt iwl3945 drivers work.

At that time there was one extra step to take that is not listed in the howto for the precompiled drivers from freshrpms.

As it was already in my machine I've never known if it was necessary or not. The author of the howto doesn't suggest it but it may be worth trying.

The step is to open the file:

/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist

and add the lines:

blacklist iwl3945
blacklist mac80211

to the end of it.

Sorry hampeh

I have no idea how that would apply to fc6. I've never used my 3945 laptop with that. There may be threads that deal with it. If so you should be searching the forum for 3945 and looking for threads from the end of last year and early this.

[bbfuller]

An extra thought here for beanz and SolitaryCZ who are using fedora 7 I assume.

I said to beanz last evening that I was doing a re-install on a test machine so I had Gnome installed and that NetworkManager running.

Although I've been using ndiswrapper with the card on that machine I can't get any sort of wireless connection at all using the latest kernel, 2.6.22.4-65.fc7

That card was connecting flawlessly using all kernels up to 2.6.22.1-41.fc7.

If I use the only earlier kernel that I have installed on the machine now, 2.6.21-1.3194.fc7 then wireless works perfectly.

It may only be an interaction between ndiswrapper and the kernel or it just may be an interaction between the kernel and something else wireless.

If you have the patience, and if you have updated to that latest kernel, it may be worth trying the process with any earlier kernel you have installed - you should have at least the 41 variant if you have updated.

[SolitaryCZ]

bbfuler: I did that blacklist thing already... today I tried type a concrete IP, not using DHCP and I could activate wireless, but I think thats just symbolic. No change at all... and while booting, I can see that "activating wireless (failed)" ... it said something like "wireless is not present" so as you said, maybe its kernel, cuz I updated it, I installed FC7 two days ago, and after first boot, the new kernel was in actualization which I whole installed. I cant tell exactly what version I have, cuz I am not in Fedora right now and I am not going to boot in it... maybe tommorow, now I am going to bed, its late

[Cpl_RaefSellous]

I followed a guide that led me to blacklist the wrong drivers, rebuild with the ones, and now my Len 3000 N100 3945 wireless light comes ON.

I can get it to detect my home network, but I can't connect. Just tries for a bit and then times out.

i've disabled security and password on my wireless router, just to get this working.

Any ideas? Here's the readout of my wireless neighbourhood:

[root@samlen ~]# iwlist eth1 scan
eth1 Scan completed :
Cell 01 - Address: 00:90:4C:7E:00:64
ESSID:"Home"
Protocol:IEEE 802.11bg
Mode:Master
Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
Encryption key:off
Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s
11 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s
48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
Quality=66/100 Signal level=-67 dBm Noise level=-67 dBm
Extra: Last beacon: 92ms ago

[h*klown]

Tagging for later refrence

[b_martinez]

@ both bbfuller and Beaz. Thank You both. Because of the two of you, I'm finally wireless. :D
Your posts were easily followed, and I blamed you both when I let out a 'boo-yeahhhhh' that woke the family. [not really] :p
Thanks again. :) :) :)
Bill

[moosport]

do you have wpa working?

[b_martinez]

If you're asking me, not yet. I've yet to get totally functional wireless with a Slackware based distro that I've installed on another laptop. Once that is accomplished, I'll have wap going.
Bill

[GreyWizzard]

I also have a 3945 card in my current notebook.

02:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection (rev 02)

I loaded the i686 version of F7 on this notebook from the DVD.

Pretty much from the get go, the wireless worked on this.

A quick search through the installed rpms for the related 3945 packages provides only:
rpm -qa | grep 3945
iwl3945-firmware-2.14.1.5-1
I couldn't help but notice that there were several posts in this thread mentioning that people were getting failures on the device activation during boot. I can't help but ask (and forgive me for this) if anybody that is seeing these errors on boot have external switches that control their wireless cards. I know my notebook has one.

The reason I bring it up is because I can force the same failure on boot if I have that external switch in the 'off' position. Another note worth mentioning is that the switch didn't work the same way in Fedora that it did in M$ Windoze. I suggest you try it in both positions if you have not already.

I know this isn't much advice, but perhaps one of two of the tidbits I have thrown in here will be of service to someone.

Oh, I also use Gnome exclusively. KDE just reminds me WAY too much of the Redmond Virus interface.... Anyway, if there is something I can verify on the Gnome side, just speak up. I will happily run commands and provide output for those whom it may help.

[moosport]

after i posted the question, i got my wpa to work. I had ap_scan=2 set when I am actually broadcasting the essid. each time i disable and re-enable the wpa_supplicant service, I had to make sure wpa_supplicant starts before trying to bring up the network.

[Ranfea]

I've been reading along with this thread and trying to follow along, but it doesn't seem to apply to my device or whatever.

0c:00.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN Mini-PC

How do I get FC 6 to actually... connect me to the internet wirelessly? I honestly haven't a clue what I'm doing.
I've tried adding the wireless card via the Network preferences, but my device is not on the list.
For reference, I'm running FC6 on a Dell Inspiron E1405.

I would really appreciate any help!

[moosport]

check out this link..

http://www.fedoraguide.info/index.php/Fedora7#Ndiswrapper_drivers_howto